PREGNANCY

Premature labour

Last modified on Thursday 18 May 2017

Labour is considered premature if it starts at any time before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and most babies born from 34 weeks onwards have an excellent chance of survival and go on to develop very healthily. Even babies born before this time can, with specialist medical care, grow and develop normally.

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Why does it happen?

Every year around 60,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK, which equates to around seven per cent of all births. In around two per cent of cases, the cause of premature labour remains unknown, although some studies seem to suggest that mums-to-be whose urine contains a certain strain of bacteria may be more susceptible. More research is being carried out into this theory, but meanwhile tests for the bacteria are carried out in early pregnancy so that any infection can be treated to reduce the risk of premature labour.

Whos at risk?

Mums-to-be with certain complications of pregnancy are at greater risk of giving birth prematurely. These complications include:

How will it affect my baby?

If your baby is born before 34 weeks, he is at risk of several complications, including hypothermia, because he hasnt enough fat stores to insulate him; low blood-sugar levels; jaundice; infection; breathing difficulties, because of under-developed lungs; and eye damage. This is why babies born prematurely spend time in SCBUs (Special Care Baby Units) kept warm in heated incubators, often on respirators and medication. Although there are threats to a premature babys survival, these diminish with each passing day, and medical teams can do wonderful things to improve these babies chances.

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Can premature labour be stopped?

Once the waters have ruptured (the amniotic sac has burst and the fluid starts to leak out), there is usually no chance of halting labour. In any case, after the waters break a baby is at increased risk of infection. For this reason, its vital that you go to hospital, even if it means calling an ambulance, if this happens to you. Some women respond to drugs to stop contractions, but these are ineffective in 75% of cases and only work for up to 48 hours in any event, so are not usually considered a viable option.

How will my baby look?

Depending on how far advanced your pregnancy is before you go into labour, your baby may look the same as a newborn, or he may look very different indeed. Very premature babies can look hairy (as the lanugo that protects their skin in the amniotic sac may not get have dropped out); wrinkly; very small and scrawny; have reddened, semi-transparent skin; have swollen-looking genitals and be lacking eyelashes, fingernails and hair. This can come as a shock at first, but be assured that as time goes by the development that should have happened in the womb will continue in the SCBU. Before long your baby will begin to look more like a full-term newborn.

How can I care for my baby?

Staff in SCBUs encourage new parents to get as involved in their babies care as possible. You should be able to change nappies, feed your baby and help with his medical care. This is vital for bonding with your newborn, and you should have unlimited access to the SCBU so you can spend as much time together as possible. Whilst some access to your baby will be via the portholes in his incubator, you may have opportunities to lift him out and feed or cuddle him close to your skin. Skin-to-skin contact is called kangaroo cuddling and has been found to calm and soothe newborns. Studies have shown that it can even help to regulate a premature babys heart rate.

Need further help?

You can also contact BLISS who are also a national charity, set up to support families with premature babies.

Tommys is a national charity which funds research into premature birth and has produced a guide for parents of new premature babies or for those who have been told they may go into premature labour. You can order a copy free of charge from their webshop .

Netmums also has a forum where you can chat to other mums about their experiences of premature labour and caring for their premature babies .